Former Premier League footballer Leon McKenzie impressed in his first ten-rounder to claim the vacant super-middleweight International Masters title, with a one-sided points win over Ivan Stupalo.
McKenzie took to Bethnal Green’s York Hall for the fifth anniversary Goodwin show – promoted by the world’s youngest female boxing promoter Olivia Goodwin – and swept aside his Croatian opponent.
Having represented Crystal Palace, Coventry City and Norwich City as a forward, McKenzie took up boxing in 2013 and remains unbeaten. Six wins and one draw, with two knockouts, leaves the 36-year-old in good stead after dominating the centre of the ring with a number of powerful jabs in the opening rounds.
The constant pressure and accuracy from McKenzie clearly frustrated the 24-year-old from Split, who swung wildly as McKenzie countered with a right to the body followed by a left hook.
Nevertheless, Croydon-born McKenzie struggled at times, and was caught ferociously with a left hook in the sixth. Having taken the blow, the son of Clinton McKenzie – a former British and European champion – unleashed on his opponent in rounds eight and nine, and damaged Stupalo with a series of combinations.
Despite being only his seventh professional contest, in contrast to his opponents twenty, the result was never in doubt as Marcus McDonnell scored the bout 100-90, awarding every round to the former non-league footballer who last represented Corby Town.
McKenzie has now secured victories against John Mason (TKO), Robert Studzinki, Nikola Varbanov (KO), Danny Brown, Scott Douglas and Stupalo, as well as a draw against Darren McKenna in 2013.
The victory sees him become the mandatory for the Southern area title.